Finance Committee drafts short survey to measure public support for delaying leaf-blower bylaw

A Finance Committee member proposed sending a short Google Forms survey to determine whether residents support delaying the town’s bylaw that would prohibit gas-powered leaf blowers after a one-year delay. The proposer said the survey budget would be zero dollars and listed proposed questions including residency, voter status, yard-work practices, equipment type, whether replacing equipment would create a financial burden, prior awareness of the bylaw, levels of concern (cost, noise, air quality, health), whether respondents support delaying implementation, and if so for how long.

Committee members discussed survey mechanics and wording. One member recommended being factual about question phrasing — for example, noting the bylaw makes gas-powered leaf blowers not allowed after a one-year delay — and cautioned against leading questions. The chair and others said the town clerk is creating a vetted email list that could be used to distribute the survey, and the proposer agreed to circulate the draft questionnaire to committee members for revision.

Members also noted timing issues related to warrant deadlines and Select Board control of the warrant: even if the committee favored recommending a delay, the Select Board ultimately controls what appears on the town warrant. No formal referral or motion to the Select Board was made during the meeting.